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FDNY replaced its 45-year-old computer system (NY)
Written by Colin Wood Aug 10, 2021 | STATESCOOP The New York City Fire Department retired a 45-year-old computer aided dispatch system last week, following a four-year project to develop a modern platform that officials said is more reliable and has new functionality...
Obtaining Grant Funding for Your Radio Communications Project
One hears phrases like “communication is key” and “we need an open line of communication” so often in everyday life that it has become a cliché. But, when it comes to public safety and first responders, this cliché is a stark reality. From the moment the call comes...
New technology allows local 911 dispatchers to see emergency, not just hear it (GA)
ATLANTA (CBS46) — When you dial 911, you may expect dispatchers to immediately know the location and send emergency crews. But that’s not always the case. The process can take minutes, but when every second counts, that can be too long, so dispatchers are now using...
Martin County School District touts new technology to keep students, staff safe (FL)
STUART, Fla. — When students head back to the classroom this year, all Florida school districts must be in compliance with Alyssa's Law. The law is named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, a student killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland when a gunman...
Survey: Taking the pulse of public safety communications
Help FireRescue1 learn how you are using communications technology on the job – and tell us what you need to better manage emergency response Communications are critical for informed and appropriate emergency response, and the technology designed for the fire service...
Keith Thornton: Chicago Police Dispatcher Praised [AUDIO] (IL)
Keith Thornton, a 911 dispatcher with the Chicago Police Department, is being praised for his handling of the tragic police shooting that took the life of 29-year-old Officer Ella French and wounded her partner. On social media, Thornton was praised from people who...
VIDEO: Langley City seeks province-wide support for call to improve coordination between ambulance and fire service (Canada)
Langley City is calling on all B.C. municipalities to join a call to better coordinate ambulance and fire services. Martin’s motion wants the provincial government and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) to allocate funding to improve response times and coordination...
Pittsburgh amateur radio group celebrates 80 years of providing emergency communications during disasters (PA)
After eight decades of providing emergency backup communications on a volunteer basis during some of this region’s worst storms and disasters, members of the Steel City Amateur Radio Club will be hitting the airwaves this week to sing their own praises. The club of...
New Mexico city program sends medic, cop to low-threat 911 calls
On a recent afternoon, Antoine Mosley was panhandling on Cerrillos Road when the city's Alternative Response Unit arrived. The unit includes a caseworker, a paramedic and a police officer who respond to low-threat 911 calls usually related to behavioral health issues....
COUNTIES, CITIES WANT LOCAL CONTROL OF 9-1-1 MONEY (TX)
Hoping to bring local control of fees charged to pay for 9-1-1 services, the Central Texas Council of Governments is asking its members to create a regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District. “It was advantageous for us to stay (before) because we were getting...
Arlington County Recognized for Emergency Communications Center Remote Call-Taking & Dispatch (VA)
RICHMOND (August 5, 2021)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) announced the 30 recipients of the 2021 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in local government programs. VACo received 102 submissions. Winning entries focused on addressing...
Public Safety A Top Priority In Dallas’ $4.35 Billion Proposed City Budget (TX)
Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax released a proposed $4.35 billion city budget Saturday, which outlines funding for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. "In many ways, I do believe that this is one of the most impactful budgets that I've recommended to the Dallas City...
Fort Scott/Bourbon County’s Dispatch Moved For Security, Space Issues (KS)
The Fort Scott/Bourbon County Dispatch office is now located in the old jail facility on 207 S. Judson. Submitted photos. Those who answer emergency calls for the Bourbon County community have been moved to a more secure and bigger space from the Hawkins Public Safety...
Augmented Reality Interface for Public Safety Operations | NIST
In April 2021, BadVR was awarded $1.1M for the Public Safety Innovation Accelerator Program: Augmented Reality (AR) cooperative agreement. As data grows dramatically in scale and complexity, existing analysis tools struggle to keep up. Within the public safety...
Durant communications, Bryan County 911 dispatch CAD system upgrade goes live (TX)
Durant Communications and Bryan County 9-1-1 Dispatchers will begin using an upgraded Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system during calls this month. 911 Dispatchers completed training last month and say the new system makes getting help to residents faster and more...
Emergency Dispatch Union Contract Approved (CT)
The Board of Selectman at a July 19 meeting unanimously approved the dispatch union contract, representing Newtown employees and Nutmeg Independent Public Safety employees. According to First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, the negotiations with the union were “amicable” and...
Utah 911 calls make big jump during wildfire smoke invasion
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah emergency dispatch centers were inundated with phone calls to 911 when a massive wave of wildfire smoke crept into the northern part of the state Friday. As the smoke moved in with shocking speed, along with the unmistakable smell of fire, a...
Grapevine Police offering bonus to aid in 911 dispatcher shortage (TX)
The Grapevine Police Department is dealing with a major shortage of 911 dispatchers and is hoping a signing bonus will help. Grapevine Police are offering a $1,200 bonus for newly-hired dispatchers -- $600 upon hire, $300 upon completion of the probationary period,...
Fort Collins dispatcher guides police to suspect (CO)
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (KDVR) — A Fort Collins police dispatcher who has been taking emergency calls for 20 years was on the other end of the line on Monday. Dispatcher Tricia Leslie was at the end of her shift at 7 p.m. On the way home, she spotted a person who fit the...
Philadelphia facing 911 dispatcher shortage (PA)
"What’s the least you need in terms of staffing for, especially 911," FOX 29's Dave Kinchen asked. "You know I wouldn’t be able to give you that answer off the top of my head, but again when you look at the demographic or the employees that work in there there’s a...
UPCOMING WEBINARREGISTER>
FirstNet Independence: A governance case study
Thursday, February 19, 2026
1:30 PM PT | 2:30 PM MT | 3:30 PM CT | 4:30 PM ET
As we are near the time Congress must reauthorize FirstNet, there needs to be a discussion on the review of FirstNet Governance. Join former FirstNet Board Chairs Sue Swenson, Chief Richard Carrizzo, and former Vice-Chair Chief Jeff Johnson, as they discuss the value of an independent FirstNet Authority, program oversight, and the need to protect and advance the nation’s public safety network.
The creation of the FirstNet Authority marked a deliberate and historic policy decision by Congress to establish an independent, nationwide public-safety broadband authority insulated from traditional departmental control. Born out of the lessons of 9/11 and codified in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, FirstNet was designed to operate with a singular mission: to ensure reliable, interoperable communications for the nation’s first responders. The discussion will examine the governance structure, rationale for its statutory independence, and oversight model.
Reauthorization SurveyMORE>
PSBTA Releases Survey on First Responder Support for FirstNet Reauthorization
New Survey: First Responders Overwhelmingly Support Reauthorization of FirstNet
A new bipartisan national survey commissioned by the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association finds near- unanimous support among first responders for reauthorizing the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority)– the agency overseeing America’s dedicated public safety broadband network.
PETITIONSMORE>
Congress should reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now.
Support the reauthorization of the FirstNet Authority to preserve public safety’s network
PSBTA UpdatesMORE>
Podcast
FirstNet and the 4.9 GHz Spectrum
This episode dives into the critical evolution of public safety communications, focusing on the recent FCC decision to establish a nationwide Band Manager framework for the 4.9 GHz spectrum, and discuss the evolution and deployment of the FirstNet System. Host Chris Tubbs interviews Chief Jeff Johnson, a leader in public safety technology and the development of FirstNet. Together, they explore the history, governance, and transformative potential of FirstNet and the 4.9 GHz spectrum in enhancing public safety operations with emerging technologies like AI, 5G, and augmented reality. The discussion emphasizes the importance of protecting and optimizing public safety spectrum, the lessons learned from past advocacy efforts, and a call to action for public safety leaders to remain engaged in ensuring the spectrum’s effective use and governance.
LISTEN TO PODCAST
Public Sector GrantsMORE>
Webinar
Accessing Federal Resources When an Emergency or Major Disaster Strikes
In light of the major disasters that our nation has recently experienced, PS Grants is offering this FREE webinar to review Disaster Assistance Programs and how to access them. Learn what federal funds and resources are available through Disaster Assistance, understand the process of requesting assistance, know what to expect before, during, and after, and find out who to contact for help.
REGISTER
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